2005 Japanese Grand Prix

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 19:14

Breakaway threat almost at point of no return

BMW executive board member Burkhard Goeschel has warned that the break up of Formula One is almost at the point of no return.

Last week, the five manufacturers that comprise the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association, together with a number of F1 teams, signed a binding agreement, making it clear that they intend pursuing the idea of an alternative race series, should the sport's governing body, the FIA, and 'ringmaster' Bernie Ecclestone not agree with various proposals being put forward, including financial issues and also the governance of the sport.

At the same time it was announced that International Sports and Entertainment AG (iSe) has been instructed to "advance strategic and commercial negotiations with key parties", including TV broadcasters, circuit owners and potential sponsors.

Talking to Reuters, Goeschel said: "We have nearly reached the point of no return. The contracts with circuits and sponsors is a two-year approach. The decision should happen within this year.

"The series is on track, going forward and the five manufacturers are united," he added.

The five manufacturers - BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Honda and Toyota - are joined by BAR, McLaren, Minardi and Sauber. However, Minardi has been bought out by Red Bull and will obviously sign up with Ecclestone's new Concorde Agreement, joining Ferrari, Jordan and Red Bull. Earlier this week, Honda bought out BAR, while BMW has bought Sauber, and Mercedes owns a large slice of McLaren. WilliamsF1 has admitted that it did not sign the agreement, prompting speculation that the British team will sign up with Ecclestone once a price has been agreed.

Other than money, the manufacturers are seeking a total revision of the way the sport is governed. In addition to greater transparency the GPMA wants long-term stability in the sport's rules, and also wants the manufacturers and teams to have the right to create the rules - while the FIA serves as referee not as rule maker: "On this point we are saying that we are not flexible," said Goeschel.

Although both Ecclestone and, FIA President, Max Mosley, have dismissed the threat of a breakaway series, Goeschel warns that the manufacturers are deadly serious, though they hope that it won't come to it.

"I don't think that there will be a split in the future," he said. "The five manufacturers standing together is the most important factor in GP racing today and in the future.

"Honda have bought BAR and now own the team. We are five manufacturers and each one owns a team. We also own the technology," he added. "The most important sponsors in future will be committed to brand values linked to manufacturers. Those companies want to be connected with the big car manufacturers and this is also our strength. I think we will also have the best drivers."

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 19:15

WilliamsF1 to reveal 2006 line up soon

Frank Williams has said that his 2006 line-up will be revealed in the not too distant future.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Williams claimed that the line-up, which will include Mark Webber, will be "very competitive" and exciting.

"Mark Webber will be the team's first confirmed driver for next year," he revealed. "Antonio Pizzonia and Nico Rosberg are the other two drivers with whom the team has retained contractual relationship. We will confirm our full driver line-up in the not-too-distant future."

The team has undergone some massive changes, what with the split with BMW - which has gone on to form its own team - the loss of sponsor HP, and the failure to secure the services of Jenson Button.

"Much is changing at Williams," he admitted, "but it will be a much-needed catalyst to return the team to winning form. As I see it, the most significant change is something that all teams will have to face and that is the change to V8 technology, the most fundamental change to the technical side of the sport in 16 years.

"I believe that Cosworth, our engine suppliers for next season, are possibly the best placed company as acknowledged global experts in V8 technology, to take best advantage of this change," he continued. "So after 27 years of Williams adapting to change and competitive challenges, I am actually very optimistic about next year."

With regards Button, he said: "I hold Jenson's ability in high regard and had hoped he would race for us but I regard the outcome pragmatically. Ultimately, a financial settlement was a poor second choice, but the only practical resolution to the situation.

"Despite holding a binding contract, we could not enforce the specific performance of making Jenson race for us," he admitted. "In any case, I am only interested in drivers that are 100% committed to driving for Williams."

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 20:28

//Mike said:
Who's rolling out of bed at a ridiculous hour to watch this one then?

... I am .

Get up?

Who's not going to bed?

BTW...I will be a cruel bugger tomorrow morning.

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 20:39

Brawn to replace Todt at Ferrari?

According to a murmur in the Suzuka paddock, technical director Ross Brawn would take Ferrari's top job if Jean Todt retires at the end of 2006. Although both scarlet players' contracts expire in unison, Englishman Brawn is known to want to keep charging at Maranello. Exactly the same cannot be said for Todt, who has left the retirement door half open.

In fact, France's Todt is even tipped to assist Luca di Montezemolo higher up the food chain. "At the moment the priority should be returning Ferrari to the front," Brawn told the 'Premiere' TV network, "so that is where my focus is.

"Other things are more important at the moment. In addition, I am an engineer at heart, and I would give that up very reluctantly."

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 20:39

We Will Have Far Too Much Grip for the Horsepower in 2006 F1 Season

Pedro de la Rosa has slammed formula one's rule-makers for ridding the sport of its V10 horse power.

The Spanish test driver is one of just a handful to have sampled 2006's 2.4 litre V8 power, and - recalling a recent run in the McLaren-Mercedes - he calls the new regulations 'very disappointing.'

F1 will lose about 200hp per engine over the winter period.

"This is very obvious to the driver," de la Rosa told the 'Marca' newspaper, "but the worst part is that they have not changed the aerodynamics rules as well. We have far too much grip for the power now."

Amid calls to inspire more overtaking in F1, 34-year-old Pedro reckons the 2006 rules will actually making passing harder.

He explained: "We will arrive at the corner 20kph slower, with the same grip and the same brakes, so the braking distance will be shorter.

"Physically, driving is also easier."

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:28

Qualifying show just started.

Race starts in 6 and a half hours time. :rolleyes:

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:34

Whoopsie Michael.

Thr track went <------

Thattaway!

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:37

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:40

Oooh...I think it could possibly maybe be C. Renault

Who creates these questions?

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:46

WTF??!?!?

Cheerleader Nurses?

Can't they choose one career?

Kinky Nurse or Slutty Cheerleader?

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:48

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Coulthard on track.

S1: 38.207
S2: 1:25.713
Time: 1:46.892

Pizzonia spun on his out lap while DC was on his fast lap.

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver		Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:51

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Pizzonia on track.

S1: 0.242 down
S2: 1.035 down
Time: 1:48.898

Pizzonia spun on his out lap while DC was on his fast lap.

Looks like a horrible car in the wet.

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:53

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Doornbos on track.

S1: 1.359 down
S2: 4.532 down
Time: 1:52.894

Full wets - not the best idea really. It's no-where near wet enough around 90% of the track

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:55

This is so much easier on the replays.

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Webber on track.

S1: 0.649 up
S2: 0.152 up
Time: 1:47.233

Car looks nasty - but has extra front wing on whats pretty much a dry setup.

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  		1:47.233
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:57

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Monteiro on track.

Monteiro has thrown it off the track and into the gravel

S1: ummm - nope
S2: didn't get this far either
Time: No time...this is why I want more gravel traps

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  		1:47.233
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894
Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  		No Time

Flibster · 8 Oct 2005 at 23:58

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

karthikeyan on track.

S1: 0.481 down
S2: 1.232 down
Time: 1:48.718

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  		1:47.233
Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  		1:48.718
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894
Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  		No Time

Flibster · 9 Oct 2005 at 00:01

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Albers on track.

S1: 1.015 down
S2: 2.653 down
Time: 1:50.843

Masses of understeer - Traction control is on for a large amount of the track. Thats scary.

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  		1:47.233
Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  		1:48.718
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  	1:50.843
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894
Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  		No Time

Flibster · 9 Oct 2005 at 00:03

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Trulli on track.

S1: 0.576 up
S2:
Time:

Lost it at turn 8 - a rarity for Trulli tbh.

Shame - the B spec Toyota looks good - it's got a few 'interesting' features on it

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  		1:47.233
Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  		1:48.718
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  	1:50.843
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894
Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  		No Time
Jarno Trulli		Toyota			No Time

Flibster · 9 Oct 2005 at 00:05

Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code:

[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Villeneuve on track.

S1: 0.629 up
S2: 0.116 down
Time: 1:47.440

Nice little slide - well held there from Villeneuve

Grid positions

Code:

[b]Driver			Team			Time[/b]
David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:46.892
Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  		1:47.233
Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  	1:47.440
Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  		1:48.718
Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:48.898
Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  	1:50.843
Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:52.894
Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  		No Time
Jarno Trulli		Toyota			No Time

Flibster · 9 Oct 2005 at 00:06

//Mike said:
Elaborate on these 'interesting' features if you don't mind Flib!

Would if I was allowed to. However - Martin did point out the obvious one.

The suspension geometry is significantly different.